An African Interpretation of Μεταδιδωμι Within the Context of The Post-Resurrection Experiences of Peter in the Acts of The Apostles

Abstract

Simon Peter’s apostolic calling and placement as the head of the Twelve, which showcases his pre-eminent authority and power after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, are central in the Acts of the Apostles. These post-resurrection experiences of Peter are referred to as a product of μεταδιδωμι (mentoring) of a pre-determined successor. Likewise, Simon Peter’s succeeding his rabbi and leader, Jesus Christ, and becoming his vice-regent after the resurrection, are not alien to the Yorùbá. Such a successor, from Yorùbá perspectives, is usually referred to as either 'Àrè̩mo̩' (the first son of a king), 'Àrólé' (A pillar of the home, the only son), or 'Olórí e̩bí' (head of the family), or 'Ààyòo̩mo̩' (an outstanding child), or 'ojú Ò̩gá' (the favourite of the Master) in Yorùbá land of Nigeria. Previous studies on Simon Peter focused largely on events surrounding his call and the type of leadership he provided with little attention paid to the full manifestation of his apostolic calling and leadership excellence after the resurrection and their interpretations in the African context, especially from the perspectives of the Yorùbá in Nigeria. The paper, therefore, examines the Post-resurrection experiences of Simon Peter in the Acts of the Apostles from the context of Yorùbá in Nigeria. This is to investigate μεταδιδωμι in the Jesus-Peter relationship and its interpretation in the cultural milieu of the Yorùbá in Nigeria. Abogunrin’s Decolonisation of Biblical Interpretation is adopted. The paper reveals that the post-resurrection experiences of Peter in the Acts of the Apostles are pre-determined, processed and executed and that there exists a correlation between the Jewish culture and that of the Yorùbá, particularly in the cultural understanding of μεταδιδωμι.